Hey everyone, I'm a 26-year-old software engineer and Homes are going for about $130,600 on average. You can expect to pay around $947 for rent here. The city has invested a lot in new development. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. What do you all think? The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up.
43 upvotes
14 Replies
Gabriella Diaz
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
38 upvotes
Addison C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 14 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into running, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
29 upvotes
Skylar Rogers
+1
23 upvotes
houston_elijah
I'm a physical therapist and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
22 upvotes
Anna F.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
22 upvotes
raised_gabriel44
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 10 years. Moved from Chicago for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is tough - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are underrated. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited high-paying job options. Road conditions need improvement. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Christine R.
100%
12 upvotes
James Howard
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Austin about 10 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are stable, gas is decent.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. No regrets on my end..
12 upvotes
Elijah Lewis
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Phoenix it's excellent.
10 upvotes
Julia Ortiz
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The traffic is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
7 upvotes
Eliana Ramos
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in The Heights. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in government. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
No regrets on my end..
6 upvotes
Scott M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 8 years. Moved from Baltimore for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are pretty good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited public transit options. Nightlife is limited. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Austin E.
I've lived in Sunset for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The cultural scene scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Good luck with whatever you decide..
4 upvotes
Cynthia T.
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The healthcare is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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